Folding umbrella.



G. CARLSON.

FOLDING UMBRELLA.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.25,1910.

' Patented NWI 1910.

2 SHEETS-BHEET l.

CARLSON. y

'OLBING UMBRELLA.

APPLICATION FILED 5111.25, 1910 Patented NOV. 1, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

34M: oz @wmf ya/yang? @tkm/m Improvements lma or ing umbrella UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE.

GUSTF CARLSON, OF DE KALB, ILLIN'OIS.

FOLDING .UMnRELLa To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Gus'rAF CARLSON,- a subject of 'the King of Sweden, residing, at De Kalb, in the county of Dekalband State of Illinois, vhave invented new and useful in Folding Umbrellas, of which the following' is a specification.

This invention relates toimprovements in folding umbrellas and has for its object the provision of a device of that kind which lowered the same as an inary umbrella when is use and folded into a comparatively small compass when not in use.

Another object is the provision of a foldprovided with a plurality of rib-sections and a connection between said rib sections, whereby the latter are fixedly held in axial alinement with each Aother when the umbrella is in use and yieldingly heldparallel with each other when the device is folded.

A still further object is the provision of a construction which will not materially increase the cost of manufacture of devices of this kind and will present no unsightly appearance when in use.

With these and other objects in view, which will more fully hereinafter appear, the present invention consists in certain novel details of construction and arrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying` drawings and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims; it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size, and minor details of the device may be made, withinv the scope of the 'appended claims, without departing from the spirit or sacricing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification ;-Figure l is a side elevation of a portion of an umbrella sl1owing the stick sections partly in section and my improved device in side elevation and connecting the rib sections and stretcher. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a portion ofthe stick with the ribs and stretchers folded substantially parallel with each other. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing a pair of ribs" completely unfolded and another pair partly unfolded. Fig. 4 is a detail of two ing said handle sections, in

Speci'cation of Letters lfatent-y l Application led January 25, 1910.

tion of one. of

6; F1g.8 is a side elevation in longitudinal section and showing asprmg member unit f side elevatwn.`

Serial No. 540,024.

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective of one ofthe clips for uniting the eouplingplate with one of the rib sections and also the stretchers and showin the im ro'ved.device in side elevation and appliedq stretcher. Fig. 6 is a detail side elevation of the device showing the adjacent end portions of the ribs in extended position. 7 is a plan View ofthe parts shown in Fig. of the device showing the ribs partly in section parallel with each other. Fig. elevation on-the line 9-9 of Fig. 6. Similar numerals ofl reference are employed to designate corresponding 'parte throughout. f The stick sections are designated by the numerals 5 and (3. The section5'is rovided at one end with V tion 5 is tubular and fitted in the end remote from the handle 7 is a tubular section 8, one end of "which extends in advance of tlie'adjacent end of the section 5. The opposite handle section 6 is tubular and o'f'a size to4 receive the tubular member 8 carried by the section 5 as clearly shown in Fig. fl. The sections 5 and G are held together by means of a spring member. This member includes an. elongated bowed shank portion 9 one end of which is fixedly secured in the tubular lne/inbel- 8, while its opposite end is provided with a lateral luglO which extends through a lateral opening in that portion of the tu-V bular member.extending in advance of the handle section 5. A similar lug 1l extends from the spring member and is arranged between the shank 9 and lug l0. Thisvlug ll extends through a lateral opening formed in the tubular member 8 and also through an alining openirngformed in the section and constitutes .a thumb piece. The end of the Section (5 which receives the projectingend of the tubular member 8 is providedwith an elongated slot, which receives the lug 10 at one end of the spring parts are in position as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. By virtue of the lug l() entering` the slot in the stick section 6, it will be evident that the sections will be nhi'tfd and so held unt-il the spring member is'ln'ioved inwardly by bearing on the thumb piece 11, whereupon the lug l0 will be moved from engagement with the stick section 6 whereupon the stick vrsections may be sey'iarated.'

Fixedly secnredadjacent to-thatend ofthe an end porto the said rib sections and4 9 yistJ sectional end a handle 7. The sec-- Patented Nov. 1, 1910.

member when the stick section t3 opposite to the end which receives the tubular member 8 is a grooved collar 12, to which is pivotally secured't-he inner endsof a plurality or' inner rib sections 13. The rib sections 13 are of the usual type and are substantially U-shaped in cross section.

rl`he runner 14 is slidingly itted on the stick sections and at one end is provided with a grooved collar 15 to which is pivoted the inner ends of a plurality or stretchers 16. The stick section G is provided with the usual spring latch 17, adapted to' engage with the runner 14, when the latter is raised to prevent.downward movement of the runner and support the`i'levice in raised position. The outer rib sectionsare designated by the numeral 18 and Secured to both the outer and inner rib sections is the usual cover 19. I

The device forming the Subject matter of the present invention is employed to connect the adjacent ends of the rib sections 13 and 18 and also the outer ends of the stretchers of the said rib sections. By reference now to Figs. l to 3 inclusive and also 6 to 9 inclusive it will be seen that tixedly secured to the adjacent ends of the rib sections 18 are what will subsequently be termed a pair of clips.,20 and 21. These members are preferably formed of single pieces of sheet metal oblong in `contour and bent into substantially a U-shape, whereby sides22 and 23 are provided as clearlyshown in Figs. 5 and 9. The sides 22 and 23 terminate at yone end in widened portions 24 and 25, these widened portions extending in advance of the adjacent'ends ofthe rib sections. Formed integrally with the sides 22 and 23 are lugs 2G and 27 and since the sides 22 and 23 are ol such width when theclips straddle the rib sections the edges ol these sides will be in alinement with the sides of the rib sections. Bending the lugs 2G Aand 27 downwardly and over the opposed inner faces of the sides of the rib sect-ions will secure the clips thereto. The inner ends of the enlarged portions 24 and 25 are provided with lateral ears 28 and .25). These ears receive the opposite terminals of a pair o f helical retiaetile springs 30 and 3'1., the lfunction of which will appear later.

The coupling plate is t esi g" ated bythe numeral 32 andis preferably formed of a single piece of sheet metal oblong in contour and rectangular in cross section and considerably less Ain thickness than the space between the'sides'lof the rib sections vlifand 13. Formed 'in the medial portion oione side of the couplingplate 32 is an inwardly extending recess 33, the width or' which ,corresponds approximatelyl to one-fourth the length of theplate and formed in 'that side of the plate iniwhlch the recess 33 is formed evasi?,

and located between the opposite ends ol the plate are a pair of inwardly extending recesses 34 and 35 corresponding' in width approximately to the width ot the recess 33 but considerably less in depth than the latter. By virtue ot' these recesses, it will be evident that projections will be formed on one side of the plate, the projections on either side of the recess 33 constituting lugs 36 and 37 while those at the outer ends of the recesses 34 and 35 constitute stops 3b' and 39. The lugs and 37 are insertible between the widened portions 24 and 25 ot the clips and are pivoted therebetween by means of pivotpins 40 extending through alining openings formed in the widened portions 24 and 25 and arranged above the ears 28 and 2S), the said pivot pins also extending through openings' in the lugs 36 and 37. The clips are so positioned on the lugs that their adjacent ends will lie comparatively close to each other when the clips extend parallel with the coupling plate as clearly shown in Figs. 1, 3,"6 and 7. Vhen the parts are in these last-named positions the stops 3S and 39 will enter between the sigle walls of the ribs and bear on the said ribs, whereby the ribs will `be prevented from served when the stops engage with the ribs that the springs 30 and 31 by virtue of their location below the pivotal points ofthe clips will tend to hold-the ribs and stops in close engagement. Extending downwardly from the corners of the coupling plates underlying the outer ends of the inner rib sections 13 are bracket arms 41. Connection between these bracket 'arms and the runner 14 is established by means of' the stretchcrs 1G, the opposite ends of which are pivoted to tl e runner as betorc described and to the bracltet arms 41.

Having now described the construction of the device its operation will be given Assuming that the ribs and stretchers are in position shown to be the right in Fig. l and it is vdesired to fold the device the outer rib sections are first moved upwardly against the action ot' the springs 30 and 31, to positions at substantially right angles lo thc inner rib sections, as clearly shown on the right ot' Fig. llVhen the parts are so positioned the runner is moved upwardly ou `the stick sections and beyond the latch 17 and to a point adjacent to the grooved collar l2. `W-hen theparts are iuthese positions the outer sections 18 are uioved inwardly and parallel with the inner sections 1?). lt. will be observed, by reference to Fig. 3, at the beginning ofthe folding tuoveimint, that is when the outer sections 1S are bent at right angles to the inner sections 13. that end of the coupling plate in engagement. -with the outer ends of the inner rib sections l 1 3 will be moved outwardly from the said movement in one direction. It will he ob" ome/ie will be sufficiently tensioned to hold the outer rib sections aga-inst outward movement it will be evident that the ribs will be lvieldingly held in folded position. When it is desired to open the parts from the posit-ion shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Figs. 1y

i l and 3 the runner is moved downwar to the lowest point onthe stick section 5 after which the outerrib sections may be moved downwardly and in axial alinement with 'the inner rib-sections. It will be observed when the rib sections are unfolded, and the springs 80 and 31y tensioned as before described the frame may be raised and lowered in the ordinary manner without danger of the rib sections folding. From the foregoing it can be seen that I have provided a device whichis compara tively simple Iin structure and inexpensive in manufacture, and which may be applied to most forms of umbrellas now in use Without necessitating any expensive alterations in the saine.

l claim l. in a folding umbrella, an oblong cou-y i pling plate provided on one side and adjacent to its opposite ends withv lugs, a'rib section `provided at one end with ai channeled clip to receive one of said lugs, and a pivot pin passing through the said clip and lug,

a second rib section forming a continuation of the irst-naniedrib section, said second rib section having at one end thereof a channeled clip similar to the first-named clip and pivotally connected to the other of said lugs,

laterally disposed lugs arranged on said clips and located to one side of the pivotal connection between said. clips and coupling plate, and a' spring having its opposite terminals secured to said lugs, for the purpose described.

` 2. In a 4folding umbrella, an .oblong coupling plate provided on one side and adja-4 cent to its opposite ends with lugs, a rib section provided at one end With-a channeled clip to receive one of said lugs, and a pivot pin passing through said clip and lug, a second rib section forming a continuation vof the first-'named rib section, said second rib sectionhaving at one end thereof a channeled cli similar to the rst-named clip and pivota ly connected to the other of said lugs, laterally disposed'lugs arranged on said clips and located to one side of the pivotal connec'tion between said clips and coupling plate, a spring having its opposite terminals secured to said lugs, and stops arranged on said coupling plate and beyond said lugs to limit -thepivotal movement of the rib sections- In testimony whereof I ahx my signature vin presence of two witnesses.

GUST. CARLSON. v 

